Warlords on the road

Why do people become maniacs when they are inside a car? Just this morning I was once again astounded by the aggression among fellow drivers. One driver almost smashed in the side of the car because he wanted to prevent me from changing the lane. Something I had to do, because it was the end of my line… Usually, if the road gets narrow and someone has to change lane, it should work like a zipper, but to often people become engaged in competition… Maybe to be at work 10 seconds earlier then me, because that’s about the time they arguably win if they try to cheat on the “zipper-system. But that’s just one of many “war” situations on the road that happen day in and day out.

I try to not bother about it, no honking or stinky finger, no yelling, because after all, its not worth it. Bad mood because of a 50 year old childish men who feels the need to show of at 6:30 am? There are more important things in life than that.

Leaving and to be left behind

It’s quiet now, and what it brings is everything… Comes calling back a brilliant night, I’m still awake I looked ahead…

These are the first lines of R.E.M.’s Leaving New York, which is one my favourite song right now. I think that it reflects to my current situation. I was the one who was left behind but I also decided to leave and move on with my life. To be left behind can be painful, but it’s more painful to keep standing, or even worse, lying around where you where left and wondering about why you where left. So I cleared up my mind and decided to keep walking the path of life. To not look back and bother about unanswered questions that I actually never asked.

And it was a good decision. Today I feel free. No hard feelings, nothing that I miss.

Jesus of Nazareth vs Che Guevara

Last weekend, the “Motorcycle Diaries” started in our cinemas. It’s a movie about the young Che Guevara and his adventures while traveling around South America. The tagline to this movie is “Let the world change you… and you can change the world”. Did Che change the world? I would say no. Other people did, like someone who lived two thousand years ago and also travelled around a lot did. His name was Jesus and I thought it would be interesting to compare this two people.

What do these two men have in common? Well, they are icons/heroes to a lot of us. Some have the infamous “Che-face” as a T-shirt, coffee mug, or sticker, others show their admiration for Jesus by having a cross around their neck. Che was a doctor; Jesus was a carpenter and prophet. Both where executed, Jesus nailed to the cross and Che shot with a gun. Both where killed because of for what they stood up for.

A lot of people think of Che as some kind of savior, just like Jesus, but I think these two men couldn’t be any more different. Where Che used force and even killed people to reach his goals Jesus used the power of words. That’s why I think the words of Jesus will stay, and even in two thousand years, people will still think about him and what he said, whereas Che will long be forgotten.

It’s easier to reach your goals when you use force, but only in short terms. Che (and Castro) maybe freed Cuba from a corrupt regime, but if you look at Cuba today, it could not be any further from freedom.

Jesus changed much more, just by using words.

Joey alone in LA

Election is over, time to find a new topic. And there is something I wanted to write about for some time now. Joey – the spin-of TV-show that follows the character of Joey Tribbiani after he left his “Friends” behind and moved from New York to Los Angeles.

I wrote about it after I saw the pilot, so now having seen the first seven episodes I have to admit, it is still funny. Last episode started with a scene between Joey and Gina. They get out of the car in front of his apartment. Joey starts joking about a very dirty car that is in the parkway, covered in dust, fines in the front window that has been there for weeks. He then sees a picture of himself on the seat inside and says something like “at least he is a fan of mine”. Well, that’s the moment when Gina asks him if he returned his rental car after his arrival in LA… A typical “Joey” scene like back in the old days in New York.

Simple moments like that make me laugh, its not really new, but hey, it is funny. Michael, the twenty year old nephew of Joey is also very interesting and funny character and ads something fresh. Gina, Joeys sister is not my cup of tee, she can be very annoying at times. Alex, the married neighbor of Joey and a possible love interest shows up every now and then but unfortunately dose not really add anything to this TV-show and would need more screen time. One of the main flaws of Joy is that it is supposed to be a spin of but while they kept certain elements of Joeys character from “Friends”, he seems to have lost his ability, yet need, to seduce woman. Maybe they could not obtain the rights for Joeys most famous line “how are you doing”, it is definitely missing. And where is his addiction for sandwiches?

I will keep on watching, and I hope it does not get cancelled to early. It definitely deserves two seasons at least! Hopefully the introduce new regular characters and different locations (right now they hang out at the apartment most of the time). Maybe a guest appearance of some old Friends Cast members too.

Thank God the election its over!

In a few hours hopefully we are going to know who won the election. I can’t take the press coverage anymore. The American president is the most powerful men in the world… Bla Bla – Not for me! This president is a doll and some very clever people know how to play with it. He is elected for four years, and then they have a fresh face. What is so powerful about that?
Tonight I’m going to meet with a friend and we are going to have a glass of wine and a nice chat together. She was hoping for a Kerry-victory, but we will see about that. I’m looking forward to that glass of wine and the end of the 24/7 press coverage.
In a few hours hopefully we are going to know who won the election. I can’t take the press coverage anymore. The American president is the most powerful men in the world… Bla Bla – Not for me! This president is a doll and some very clever people know how to play with it. He is elected for four years, and then they have a fresh face. What is so powerful about that?

Tonight I’m going to meet with a friend and we are going to have a glass of wine and a nice chat together. She was hoping for a Kerry-victory, but we will see about that. I’m looking forward to that glass of wine and the end of the 24/7 press coverage.

Kerry is going to win

I just got a hint who is going to win this election. John F. Kerry! I tried to reach http://www.georgewbush.com, which was impossible, the access is restricted, but http://www.johnkerry.com is still online. I take that as a sign!

Well, who cares, I still hope that all the clever Americans vote for Carrie Bradshaw.

Carrie Bradshaw for president!

It is time to elect a new president in the United States and I have the perfect candidate! Carrie Bradshaw. She is the right person to lead the United States into a bright new future. She would clean up the prudish mess created by the early pilgrims a few hundres years ago. Shoes and fashion items would replace weaopons as the main income for the American industry. All her speeches would start with “I can’t help but wonder… and for the first time, people would listen to what the president has to say.

As minister of forreign afairs I would recommend Samantha Jones. All the foreign leaders would be easily seduced by her, and “Make love, not war” would become a literal policy. Then we have Miranda Hobbes, she would be perfect for the departement of Justice, cause you know, she is a tough lawer. Charlotte York would be responsible for Art, the White House defenitly needs a bit more color.
So on the 2nd of November 2004 go out there, skip Bush an Kerry, look for an empty space on your voting card and write “Carrie Bradshaw is my girl”

Happy Halloween!

Halloween is coming up and I received a Halloween card yesterday, for the first time of my life! Usually I try to avoid this special day, as it was introduced to our culture a few years ago to increase sales for sweeties and scary costumes. But there is nothing wrong with sending out greetings to all my American readers and of course, the rest of the world.

Have a great time celebrating!